Pickin’ in the Pasture Bluegrass Festival

LODI – Bluegrass music returns to the Finger Lakes for the 20th Annual Pickin’ In The Pasture. The festival has become a major event in the bluegrass industry and will bring many of the top bands in the country to the Finger Lakes town of Lodi, NY. The gate opens to those camping on Wednesday, August 23rd and the stage show goes on Thursday, August 24 through Saturday, August 26th. Pickin’ In The Pasture attracts bluegrass fans from all over the Northeast US and Canada. Hundreds of RVs and tents are set up in the pasture for what becomes a large bluegrass community for a few days. People enjoy the world-class stage show as well as hanging out at late night jam sessions in the campground. Many that attend are musicians themselves and come mainly to participate in making music. They love the music for its raw power, the skill it requires, and its deep American legacy.

Unlike some bluegrass festivals, the groups appearing at Pickin’ In The Pasture are all professional level entertainers. Some of the bands performing this year include David Parmley and Cardinal Tradition from Tennessee. David Davis and The Warrior River Boys from Alabama. Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass from southern Pennsylvania, The Bluegrass Mountaineers from Ohio, Nothin’ Fancy from Virginia, Jeff Scroggins and Colorado from Colorado, Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road from North Carolina, Circa Blue from West Virginia, and your hosts, The Jesse Alexander Band from right here in Lodi New York.

There are bluegrass festivals every weekend across the country, but one thing that sets Pickin’ In The Pasture apart is being located in the popular vacation destination of The Finger Lakes. This helps attract visitors from all over the northeast. The setting is a picturesque working sheep farm overlooking Seneca Lake. People are able to combine some of the best bluegrass music in the country with other recreational activities provided by The Finger Lakes. People attending the festival also enjoy the wine trail, state parks, national forest, and the local Amish community. This year as an added attraction, there will be over two dozen classic cars on display at the festival on Saturday.

Festival goers at Pickin’ In The Pasture take advantage of the free camping when purchasing a weekend ticket. “It is actually cheaper to be at this world-class bluegrass event with all the great music than to stay at most area campgrounds” says the producer of the festival.

Festival goers coming for the day should bring lawn chairs and appropriate clothing. It can get hot in the day as well as chilly in the evening. Audience tents provide shelter from sun or rain. There is a variety of food available from vendors, but some choose to pack a picnic. Coolers and adult beverages are allowed in the performance area, but inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. For more information about this fun, family oriented event visit www.pickininthepasture.com or call (607) 582-6363. Tell your friends!